OUTSIDE: Hawai’i Forest & Trail One of the Best Places to Work

OUTSIDE magazine recently named Hawai’i Forest & Trail in Kailua-Kona on its list of the Best Places to Work 2015.

The magazine composes a yearly list of 100 companies in America that provide their employees with a balance of work and play, encouraging active lifestyle, eco-consciousness, and community give-back.

“This prestigious recognition by OUTSIDE magazine as one of the best places to work across the country is truly an honor. When we started Hawaii Forest & Trail in 1992, my wife Cindy and I made a commitment to build our business around the concept of ohana, or family, where we foster connections between our co-worker ohana and the natural world. It’s what we strive for,” said Hawai’i Forest & Trail President Rob Pacheco.

Hawai’i Forest & Trail, listed at number 48, was founded in the garage of founders Rob and Cindy Pacheco. Now, the outdoor adventure company has three locations on the Big Island with over 50 employees.

“The companies recognized in this year’s Best Places to Work list are the gold standard for stellar work environments that seek to empower their employees both in and out of the office,” said OUTSIDE Online Editor Scott Rosenfield. “The new categories in this year’s list serve to highlight outstanding workplaces in distinctive fields—making it all the easier for our readers to find their dream jobs.”

Close personal connections and new opportunities for employees are among the items that keeps Hawai’i Forest and Trail growing.

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The company recently launched its “Ohana and Natural Resources Department,” where the emphasis is to develop staff education opportunities, conservation partnerships, and community involvement. Some of the developments have been staff barbecues, group volunteer programs, ongoing education lectures from natural and cultural experts, and invitations to community hikes.

Hawai’i Forest & Trail also takes kuleana as a company responsibility. Employees receive a package of staff benefits from healthcare and a 401K matching plan to paid vacation time and comp tickets on any offered adventures.

“We strongly believe that to be the best at what we do, we have to compete for the best candidates every time we hire,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Jason Cohn.

Review the full list of OUTSIDE magazine’s Best Places to Work at the OUTSIDE magazine website.